•  The S.H.A.R.E. and S.T.A.R PROGRAMS

   

   The SOLVE office is preparing for another successful semester of mentoring/tutoring for the local elementary, middle, and high schools. The SHARE program is a great way for college students to build their resumes, volunteer community hours, and mentor young children; SHARE even provides transportation (first come first serve).  We are currently looking for site coordinators, drivers, and tutors. The site coordinators must be responsible young adults willing to be on time, supervise tutors on site, and communicate with the school coordinators, as well as, the SHARE coordinator. The drivers must be 21 years old with a good driving record, responsible, and willing to commit themselves for the majority of the semester. The site coordinator and driver positions may be paid if the student has work study, or it can be volunteer. The tutors will help school aged children with their homework and other school skills. Please notify your students! Better yet, we will come to your class and speak to your students about the program and answer any questions if you would like. There are brochures available in the SOLVE office for students to sign up; the brochures include the days and times SHARE will be operating this semester. We would like to start the week of February 12, 2007.

   

              In addition to the SHARE Program, Central Columbia Middle School is starting a new program this semester, S.T.A.R. (Students and Teachers Achieving Results). The S.T.A.R. program will place middle school students with a teacher/mentor who will work with them while they are in the program. Research has proven that by fostering these types of relationships students will improve academically. The typical day will involve work on academics, a snack, and fun activities. Central Columbia is trying to provide a comprehensive program that will remediate and motivate their students so that they can find greater success in school. This program is available to BU students for community service, volunteer, and SHARE hours. However, SHARE will NOT provide transportation to the program besides on the regular scheduled day for Central Columbia Middle School. The program begins January 25^th and ends March 8^th. It will be held Monday thru Thursday from 2:30 – 4:30 pm. If your students are interested in signing up for S.T.A.R. please have them contact me. SHARE will continue at Central Columbia Middle School after the S.T.A.R program is finished.

   

• Autistic Support Group- meets the first Monday of every month.  It is three hours long, BU students get split into two different groups, one group goes into the parent session while the other watches their children (this is children with autism and sometimes their siblings). BU students usually play board games, cards, anything they want to do, or just watch them, it is very easy). After about an hour and a half, the BU students switch and go to the other session. It is a great opportunity to learn about parents concerns as well as how the children with autism are Car pools are arranged.

 

• EOS - Therapeutic Riding Center :is a non-profit organization providing therapeutic horseback riding to children and adults with special needs. Riders with a variety of disabilities and abilities ride for 1/2 hour session that can include all or some of the following therapies: Physical, Education, Social, Behavioral, Speech, Communication, and Occupational. This hands-on experience with individuals with disabilities is a chance to experience a non traditional settings for speech, physical, and occupational therapy, and be able to appreciate the importance of small increments of chance and progress for individuals with severe disabilities. If you are interested and need more information, please contact Debbie Smith, (570) 784-5445.

                    ***Volunteers needed at Eos Therapeutic Riding Center. No experience needed. Just smiles and a helping hand. ***

Schedule

Tuesdays 8am- 8:30pm (off 12-1 for lunch)

Wednesdays 11am and 4pm to 8:30pm (off 12-1 for lunch)

Thursdays 1-8:30pm

* Carpools will be arranged to the best of our ability*

 

Location:

If you are going to the Columbia mall so that the mall is on your left, go through the first intersection.

Take the next right after that, it is in front of a gas station.

Stay straight until you see a sign for EOS

You take a left at the sign and go down that road a good distance

You will see another sign for EOS and you will see a barn. You turn a slight left at the sign.

 

Counts for  3 SCEC points

•  BEST BUDDIES- volunteer organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with mental retardation. The Best Buddies student chapter helps the students get linked with people with disabilities in the surrounding communities. The students and their buddies engage in activities, group outings, and fundraisers throughout the school year. Students who do not wish to have their own buddy can be associate members. Associate members attend meetings and group events. If you are interested in joining Best Buddies at any time throughout the year or get credit for going through SCEC contact Marykate Ivins, or Dr. Tucker at 389-4078 (ptucker@bloomu.edu)

 

• SPECIAL OLYMPICS- begins January 31st at Memorial Elementary School. (Go to the fountain and make a left, continue on road until the next light, then make a right. School on left. ) The month of February is basketball.

 

• Kids Fun Day and Skating Party- TO BE ANNOUNCED!